Genevieve LaCaze in the best shape of her career as she approaches Rio Olympics 3000m steeplechase final

GENEVIEVE LaCaze’s brilliant run in her 3000m steeplechase heat at the weekend has her in good spirits ahead of tomorrow’s final, according to her brother.

(L-R) Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, USA's Courtney Frerichs, and Australia's Genevieve Lacaze compete in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase Round 1 during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

Genevieve LaCaze is in the best shape of her career as she approaches rare terrain for an Australian athlete — the 3000m steeplechase final at the Rio Olympics.

This is the opinion of LaCaze’s brother, Elliott, who watched his sister produce a brilliant run on Sunday morning (AEST) to qualify for the final at 12.15am tomorrow.

LaCaze and her fellow Aussie Madeline Hills became the first Aussies to qualify for an Olympic 3000m steeplechase final.

“She’s just developing as an athlete — you look at a lot of middle distance runners and they get better with age,” Mr LaCaze said.

“She’s had a good run at being injury free and things are starting to come together.’’

Mr LaCaze said spirits were high after the 26-year-old athlete qualified for her first Olympic final with a time of 9:26.25.

LaCaze comes from the land of Steven Bradbury and her family was not prepared to listen to those who doubt her medal chances in the final.

(L-R) USA's Courtney Frerichs, and Australia's Genevieve Lacaze compete in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase Round 1 during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

“I wouldn’t write anything off for the final and how she might go. In her heat there was someone who fell over,” he said.

“When you have hurdles and water, anything can happen.’’

Bradbury remains one of the most astonishing gold medal winners in the history of the Olympics when at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City he watched all competitors stumble in his final, leaving him last man standing and the Olympic champion.

Bradbury (Springwood State High School) and LaCaze (John Paul College) went to neighbouring schools in Logan City.

“I’ve been texting dad (Tony) and Gen through WhatsApp and they were thrilled at her run in the heat,” Mr LaCaze said.

“She said to me ‘I felt so good and went really well’ after her race so the spirits are high.

“(Getting to the final) is what she went to the Olympics for.

“We’re all thrilled with how she went on the weekend.”